Floodlight controllers with wireless audio/video recording and communication features

ABSTRACT

Floodlight controllers with wireless audio/video recording and communication features in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure are provided. In one embodiment, a floodlight controller for activating and deactivating a floodlight device may include a camera including an image sensor and having a field of view, a switch having an open condition and a closed condition, and a processor operatively connected to the camera and operatively connected to the switch, wherein the processor is configured to receive an input from the camera and produce an output to the switch to cause the switch to transition from the open condition to the closed condition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.62/367,045, filed on Jul. 26, 2016, provisional application Ser. No.62/410,790, filed on Oct. 20, 2016, and provisional application Ser. No.62/442,218, filed on Jan. 4, 2017. The entire contents of the priorityapplications are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiments relate to security lighting systems and wirelessaudio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices.

BACKGROUND

Home security is a concern for many homeowners and renters. Someexterior lighting systems include motion sensors that activate thelights when motion is detected. Such exterior lighting systems maystartle would-be burglars when the lights suddenly turn on unexpectedly.These systems can thus deter crime in and around the home.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present floodlight controllers withwireless audio/video recording and communication features have severalfeatures, no single one of which is solely responsible for theirdesirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the presentembodiments as expressed by the claims that follow, their more prominentfeatures now will be discussed briefly. After considering thisdiscussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled“Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of thepresent embodiments provide the advantages described herein.

One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization thatconventional exterior lighting systems may be only marginally effectiveat deterring intruders. For example, when a motion sensor of an exteriorlighting system detects an intruder, the lights may be activated, whichmay startle the intruder. Savvy burglars, and other types of criminals,however, may not be startled by a light simply turning on. Further, anilluminated floodlight does little to protect a premises from invasionor burglary if no occupant is present at the time the intruder(s) enterthe property. The present embodiments address these shortcomings ofconventional exterior lighting systems by adding audio/video (A/V)recording and communication capabilities. For example, when a motionsensor of an exterior lighting system detects an intruder, the lightsmay be activated, which may startle the intruder. But the intruder islikely to be further startled, and thus more likely to flee, if he orshe hears the sound of a human voice. Thus, it would be advantageous toprovide an exterior lighting system having a camera that enables theproperty owner (or renter) to see a live view of the area near thelighting system, and a speaker that enables the property owner (orrenter) to provide a live verbal warning to any intruders. It would befurther advantageous if audio and/or video captured by thelighting/surveillance system could be uploaded to the cloud and recordedon a remote server. Subsequent review of the A/V footage could aid lawenforcement in capturing perpetrators of home burglaries and othercrimes. Further, the presence of one or more lighting/surveillancedevices on the exterior of a home would act as a powerful deterrentagainst would-be burglars. Some of the present embodiments may enablethe user to remotely control light and/or sound emitted from thefloodlight controller, which may further enhance the ability of thepresent floodlight controllers to scare away intruders.

In a first aspect, a floodlight controller for activating anddeactivating a floodlight device is provided, the floodlight controllercomprising a camera including an image sensor and having a field ofview, a switch having an open condition and a closed condition, and aprocessor operatively connected to the camera and operatively connectedto the switch, wherein the processor is configured to receive an inputfrom the camera and produce an output to the switch to cause the switchto transition from the open condition to the closed condition.

An embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a floodlight device,wherein the floodlight controller is operatively connected to thefloodlight device.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, when the switch transitionsfrom the open condition to the closed condition the floodlight device isactivated to illuminate at least one floodlight of the floodlightdevice.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a communicationmodule including a wireless transceiver, the communication module beingconfigured to facilitate two-way audio communication between a firstperson located at the floodlight controller and a second person locatedremotely from the floodlight controller.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a microphoneconfigured to capture audio from an area about the floodlightcontroller.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a speakerconfigured to produce sound.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the communication module isfurther configured to transmit video information from the camera to anetwork.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises at least onemotion sensor.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the at least one motionsensor is operatively connected to the processor, and the processor isconfigured to receive an input from the at least one motion sensor andproduce an output to the switch to cause the switch to transition fromthe open condition to the closed condition.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the image sensor comprises avideo recording sensor or a camera chip.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises at least oneinfrared (IR) light-emitting component configured to illuminate thefield of view to enable the image sensor to capture images underconditions of low ambient light.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a microphoneconfigured to capture audio from an area about the floodlightcontroller.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a speakerconfigured to produce sound.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises storageconfigured to store audio and/or video information captured by thefloodlight controller, and a battery configured to power the floodlightcontroller.

In a second aspect, a floodlight controller for activating anddeactivating a floodlight device is provided, the floodlight controllercomprising a camera including an image sensor and having a field ofview, at least one motion sensor, a switch having an open condition anda closed condition, and a processor operatively connected to the atleast one motion sensor and operatively connected to the switch, whereinthe processor is configured to receive an input from the at least onemotion sensor and produce an output to the switch to cause the switch totransition from the open condition to the closed condition.

An embodiment of the second aspect further comprises a floodlightdevice, wherein the floodlight controller is operatively connected tothe floodlight device.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, when the switch transitionsfrom the open condition to the closed condition the floodlight device isactivated to illuminate at least one floodlight of the floodlightdevice.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further comprises acommunication module including a wireless transceiver, the communicationmodule being configured to facilitate two-way audio communicationbetween a first person located at the floodlight controller and a secondperson located remotely from the floodlight controller.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further comprises a microphoneconfigured to capture audio from an area about the floodlightcontroller.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further comprises a speakerconfigured to produce sound.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the communication module isfurther configured to transmit video information from the camera to anetwork.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the image sensor comprises avideo recording sensor or a camera chip.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further comprises at least oneinfrared (IR) light-emitting component configured to illuminate thefield of view to enable the image sensor to capture images underconditions of low ambient light.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further comprises a microphoneconfigured to capture audio from an area about the floodlightcontroller.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further comprises a speakerconfigured to produce sound.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further comprises storageconfigured to store audio and/or video information captured by thefloodlight controller, and a battery configured to power the floodlightcontroller.

In a third aspect, a floodlight assembly is provided, the floodlightassembly comprising a floodlight device having at least one floodlight,the at least one floodlight having an off condition and an on condition,and a floodlight controller for turning on and off the at least onefloodlight, wherein the floodlight controller comprises a cameraincluding an image sensor and having a field of view, the camera beingconfigured to detect motion within the field of view, a switch having anopen condition and a closed condition, wherein when the switch is in theopen condition the at least one floodlight of the floodlight device isin the off condition and when the switch is in the closed condition theat least one floodlight of the floodlight device is in the on condition,and a processor operatively connected to the camera and operativelyconnected to the switch, wherein the processor is configured to receivean input from the camera when motion is detected within the field ofview and produce an output to the switch to cause the switch totransition from the open condition to the closed condition to therebycause the at least one floodlight of the floodlight device to turn on.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the floodlight controller furthercomprises a communication module including a wireless transceiver, thecommunication module being configured to facilitate two-way audiocommunication between a first person located at the floodlightcontroller and a second person located remotely from the floodlightcontroller.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the floodlight controllerfurther comprises a microphone configured to capture audio from an areaabout the floodlight controller.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the floodlight controllerfurther comprises a speaker configured to produce sound.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the communication module isfurther configured to transmit video information from the camera to anetwork.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the floodlight controllerfurther comprises at least one motion sensor.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the at least one motionsensor is operatively connected to the processor, and the processor isconfigured to receive an input from the at least one motion sensor andproduce an output to the switch to cause the switch to transition fromthe open condition to the closed condition to thereby cause the at leastone floodlight of the floodlight device to turn on.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the image sensor of thecamera comprises a video recording sensor or a camera chip.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the floodlight controllerfurther comprises at least one infrared (IR) light-emitting componentconfigured to illuminate the field of view to enable the image sensor tocapture images under conditions of low ambient light.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the floodlight controllerfurther comprises a microphone configured to capture audio from an areaabout the floodlight controller.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the floodlight controllerfurther comprises a speaker configured to produce sound.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the floodlight controllerfurther comprises storage configured to store audio and/or videoinformation captured by the floodlight controller, and a batteryconfigured to power the floodlight controller.

In a fourth aspect, a floodlight controller for activating anddeactivating a floodlight device is provided, the floodlight controllercomprising a housing, a camera including an image sensor and having afield of view, at least one motion sensor, wherein the at least onemotion sensor is positioned adjacent a tapered lower portion of thehousing, wherein the tapered lower portion of the housing includes anopening that allows the at least one motion sensor to be exposed toincoming infrared (IR) light, and wherein the opening lies in a plane Pthat is not perpendicular to a vertical axis A of the floodlightcontroller.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, the plane P slopes upward in thedirection from a rear wall of the housing toward a front wall of thehousing.

Another embodiment of the fourth aspect further comprises a Fresnel lenscovering the opening, the Fresnel lens being configured to concentratethe incoming IR light onto the at least one motion sensor to therebyenhance the sensitivity of the at least one motion sensor to detectmotion.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the at least one motionsensor comprises three passive infrared (PIR) sensors.

Another embodiment of the fourth aspect further comprises an invertedpyramidal PIR sensor holder, wherein the PIR sensors are arranged aboutthree surfaces of the inverted pyramidal PIR sensor holder.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the three surfaces of theinverted pyramidal PIR sensor holder are configured to point the PIRsensors at a downward angle.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the PIR sensors areconfigured to detect motion in an area of about 270 degrees around thefront and sides of the floodlight controller.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the PIR sensors are arrangedsuch that a first one of the PIR sensors is pointed toward the front ofthe floodlight controller.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the PIR sensors are arrangedsuch that a second one of the PIR sensors is pointed toward the rightside of the floodlight controller.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the PIR sensors are arrangedsuch that a third one of the PIR sensors is pointed toward the left sideof the floodlight controller.

Another embodiment of the fourth aspect further comprises a floodlightdevice, wherein the floodlight controller is operatively connected tothe floodlight device for activating and deactivating the floodlightdevice.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the housing furthercomprises a camera opening configured to expose the camera to the fieldof view.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the housing furthercomprises a microphone opening configured to expose a microphone of thefloodlight controller to capture audio from an area about the floodlightcontroller.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the housing furthercomprises a speaker opening configured to expose a speaker of thefloodlight controller to produce sound audible to the area about thefloodlight controller.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the housing furthercomprises a fourth opening configured to expose at least one IRlight-emitting component of the floodlight controller to illuminate thefield of view to enable the image sensor to capture images underconditions of low ambient light.

Another embodiment of the fourth aspect further comprises at least onelight-emitting element.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the at least onelight-emitting element comprises at least one light-emitting diode(LED).

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the at least onelight-emitting element comprises three LEDs.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the at least one LED isconfigured to emit light in a plurality of colors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the present floodlight controllers withwireless audio/video (A/V) recording and communication features now willbe discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageousfeatures. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious floodlightcontrollers with wireless A/V recording and communication features shownin the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only.These drawings include the following figures, in which like numeralsindicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a network of devicesincluding a floodlight controller with wireless A/V recording andcommunication features according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process for streaming and storingA/V content from a floodlight controller according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a floodlightcontroller with wireless A/V recording and communication featuresaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an upper front perspective view of one embodiment of afloodlight controller with wireless A/V recording and communicationfeatures according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an upper front perspective view of the floodlight controllerwith wireless A/V recording and communication features of FIG. 4 withsome front-facing components removed;

FIG. 6 is a front left-side perspective view of the floodlightcontroller with wireless A/V recording and communication features ofFIG. 4 with some outer components removed;

FIG. 7 is a front right-side perspective view of the floodlightcontroller with wireless A/V recording and communication features ofFIG. 4 with some outer components removed;

FIG. 8 is a lower front perspective view of the floodlight controllerwith wireless A/V recording and communication features of FIG. 4 with alower cover removed;

FIG. 9 is a right-side elevation view of the floodlight controller withwireless A/V recording and communication features of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the floodlight controller withwireless A/V recording and communication features of FIG. 4 incombination with a floodlight device according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of afloodlight controller with wireless A/V recording and communicationfeatures according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process for recording and storingA/V content with a floodlight controller according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an upper front perspective view of another embodiment of afloodlight controller with wireless A/V recording and communicationfeatures according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a right-side elevation view of the floodlight controller withwireless A/V recording and communication features of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a left-side elevation view of the floodlight controller withwireless A/V recording and communication features of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a lower front perspective view of another embodiment of afloodlight controller with wireless A/V recording and communicationfeatures according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of a client device on which thepresent embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes the present embodimentswith reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers labelelements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers arereproduced below in connection with the discussion of the correspondingdrawing features.

The embodiments of the present floodlight controllers with wirelessaudio/video (A/V) recording and communication features are describedbelow with reference to the figures. These figures, and their writtendescriptions, indicate that certain components of the apparatus areformed integrally, and certain other components are formed as separatepieces. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatcomponents shown and described herein as being formed integrally may inalternative embodiments be formed as separate pieces. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will further appreciate that components shown anddescribed herein as being formed as separate pieces may in alternativeembodiments be formed integrally. Further, as used herein the termintegral describes a single unitary piece.

Many properties, such as homes and businesses, include outdoor securitylighting. A typical outdoor security lighting device includes one ormore floodlights and a motion sensor that illuminates the floodlightswhen motion is detected. Outdoor security lighting devices can thusdeter crime by scaring away intruders who are startled by the suddenunexpected illumination that happens when the motion sensor of theoutdoor security lighting device detects the intruder's motion.

The deterrent effect of typical outdoor security lighting devices is,however, limited. A determined criminal is unlikely to be deterred bysimple illumination alone, particularly when the criminal believes thatthe property is currently unoccupied. The present embodiments enhancethe deterrent effect of outdoor security lighting devices by addingaudio and video capabilities. For example, some of the presentembodiments include a camera and a wireless communication module thatenables a user to receive live streaming video, using a computing devicesuch as a smartphone, of an intruder within the field of view of thecamera. The user can thus observe the intruder even when the user is notat home (or not present at whatever type of property where the camera islocated). Some of the present embodiments also include a speaker thatenables the user to speak to the intruder. The user can thus providelive verbal warnings to the intruder, thereby creating the illusion thatthe user is on the property even when the user is somewhere else. If theintruder is fooled into believing that the property owner is present, heor she is more likely to flee. Footage captured by the camera, inaddition to being streamed to the user's computing device, may also beuploaded to the cloud and later used to identify, apprehend, and/orconvict the intruder. Some of the present embodiments include a camera,a wireless communication module, a speaker, and other components in acompact unit that can be connected to existing outdoor security lightingdevices. For example, some of the present embodiments may be integratedinto existing outdoor security lighting devices as a replacement for themotion sensor.

With reference to FIG. 1, the present embodiments include a floodlightcontroller 100 with wireless A/V recording and communication features.The floodlight controller 100 is configured for use with a floodlightdevice 102 including one or more floodlights (shown in later figures).The floodlight controller 100 and the floodlight device 102 may belocated on or around the exterior of a structure (not shown), such as adwelling, a business, a storage facility, etc. The floodlight controller100 and the floodlight device 102 may also be located within theinterior of a structure (not shown), such as a dwelling, a business, astorage facility, etc.

As described in detail below, the floodlight controller 100 isconfigured to activate (illuminate) the floodlights of the floodlightdevice 102 when motion is detected in the area about the floodlightcontroller 100. The floodlight controller 100 is further configured torecord video from the area about the floodlight controller 100, and insome embodiments may also enable two-way audio communication between afirst person in the area about the floodlight controller 100 and asecond person located remotely from the area about the floodlightcontroller 100.

With reference to FIG. 1, the floodlight controller 100 includes acamera 104, a microphone 106, and a speaker 108. The camera 104 maycomprise, for example, a high definition (HD) video camera, such as onecapable of capturing video images at an image display resolution of1080p or better. While not shown in FIG. 1, the floodlight controller100 may also include other hardware and/or components, such as ahousing, one or more motion sensors (and/or other types of sensors), awireless communication module, etc. One or more of these other hardwareand/or components are described below with reference to FIG. 3 et al.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the floodlight controller 100communicates with a user's network 110, which may be for example a wiredand/or wireless network. If the user's network 110 is wireless, orincludes a wireless component, the network 110 may be a Wi-Fi networkcompatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard and/or other wirelesscommunication standard(s). The user's network 110 is connected toanother network 112, which may comprise, for example, the Internetand/or a public switched telephone network (PSTN). As described below,the floodlight controller 100 may communicate with a user's clientdevice 114 via the user's network 110 and the network 112(Internet/PSTN). The user's client device 114 may comprise, for example,a mobile telephone (may also be referred to as a cellular telephone),such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer(e.g. tablet, laptop, desktop, etc.), or another communication device.The user's client device 114 comprises a display (not shown in FIG. 1)and related components capable of displaying streaming and/or recordedvideo images. The user's client device 114 may also comprise a speakerand related components capable of broadcasting streaming and/or recordedaudio, and may also comprise a microphone. The floodlight controller 100may also communicate with one or more remote storage device(s) 116 (maybe referred to interchangeably as “cloud storage device(s)”), one ormore servers 118, and/or a backend API (application programminginterface) 120 via the user's network 110 and the network 112(Internet/PSTN). While FIG. 1 illustrates the storage device 116, theserver 118, and the backend API 120 as components separate from thenetwork 112, it is to be understood that the storage device 116, theserver 118, and/or the backend API 120 may be considered to becomponents of the network 112.

The network 112 may be any wireless network or any wired network, or acombination thereof, configured to operatively couple the abovementioned modules, devices, and systems as shown in FIG. 1. For example,the network 112 may include one or more of the following: a PSTN (publicswitched telephone network), the Internet, a local intranet, a PAN(Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide AreaNetwork), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a virtual private network(VPN), a storage area network (SAN), a frame relay connection, anAdvanced Intelligent Network (AIN) connection, a synchronous opticalnetwork (SONET) connection, a digital T1, T3, E1, or E3 line, a DigitalData Service (DDS) connection, a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)connection, an Ethernet connection, an ISDN (Integrated Services DigitalNetwork) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34, or V.34bis analogmodem connection, a cable modem, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) or CDDI(Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore,communications may also include links to any of a variety of wirelessnetworks, including WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (GeneralPacket Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication),CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division MultipleAccess), FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access), and/or OFDMA(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) cellular phone networks,GPS, CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM (Research in Motion,Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth radio, or an IEEE 802.11-basedradio frequency network. The network can further include or interfacewith any one or more of the following: RS-232 serial connection,IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, Fibre Channel connection, IrDA(infrared) port, SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) connection, USB(Universal Serial Bus) connection, or other wired or wireless, digitalor analog, interface or connection, mesh or Digi® networking.

According to one or more aspects of the present embodiments, when aperson (may be referred to interchangeably as “visitor”) enters the areaabout the floodlight controller 100, the floodlight controller 100detects the visitor's presence. The floodlight controller 100 may detectthe visitor's presence using the camera 104 and/or a motion sensor, asdescribed below. The camera 104 may capture video images within a fieldof view of the camera 104, and may thereby capture video images of thevisitor. The video recording/capture may begin when the visitor isdetected, or may begin earlier, as described below. The floodlightcontroller 100 may also capture audio through the microphone 106.

In some embodiments, the camera 104 may have zoom and/or panningfunctionality, such as digital zoom and/or panning, to enable the camera104 to focus the field of view onto an area of interest and/or tomagnify the area of interest. The zooming and/or panning may, in someembodiments, be controlled by the user through the user's client device114. Also in some embodiments, the camera 104 may have “smart” zoomand/or panning functionality, to enable the camera 104 to automaticallyfocus and/or magnify the field of view onto a person or persons, and/orto follow the movement of the person(s) as they move about within thecamera's field of view. For example, the camera 104 may be capable ofdetecting a human face and automatically focusing and/or magnifying thefield of view onto the detected human face (or faces), and/or followingthe movement of the detected human face (or faces). In another example,the camera 104 may be capable of distinguishing a human in its field ofview from a non-human object in its field of view. The camera 104 mayfurther be configured to detect and/or track the movement of anydetected humans, while ignoring any detections of non-human objects inits field of view.

In response to the detection of the visitor, the floodlight controller100 turns on at least one floodlight of an associated floodlight deviceto illuminate the area about the floodlight controller 100. Thefloodlight controller 100 also sends an alert to the user's clientdevice 114 (FIG. 1) via the user's network 110 and the network 112. Thefloodlight controller 100 also sends streaming video, and may also sendstreaming audio, to the user's client device 114 via the user's network110 and the network 112. If the user answers the alert, two-way audiocommunication may then occur between the visitor and the user throughthe floodlight controller 100 and the user's client device 114. The usermay view the visitor throughout the duration of the call, but thevisitor cannot see the user.

The video images captured by the camera 104 of the floodlight controller100 (and the audio captured by the microphone 106) may be uploaded tothe cloud and recorded on the remote storage device 116 (FIG. 1). Insome embodiments, the video and/or audio may be recorded on the remotestorage device 116 even if the user chooses to ignore the alert sent tohis or her client device 114. As described above, in some embodimentsthe camera 104 may have “smart” zoom and/or panning functionality. Forexample, the camera 104 may be capable of facial recognition, enablingthe camera 104 to automatically focus and/or magnify the field of viewonto a person's face, and/or to follow the movement of the person(s) asthey move about within the camera's field of view. If the person in thefield of view of the camera 104 is an intruder, video images of theperson's face may be useful in identifying the intruder, which may helplead to the capture of the intruder. In another example, the camera 104may be capable of distinguishing a human in its field of view from anon-human object in its field of view. The camera 104 may further beconfigured to detect and/or track the movement of any detected humans,while ignoring any detections of non-human objects in its field of view.In other embodiments, the zooming and/or panning functionality of thecamera 104 may be controlled by the user through the user's clientdevice 114 using the application executing on the client device 114.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the system may further comprise abackend API 120 including one or more components. A backend API(application programming interface) may comprise, for example, a server(e.g. a real server, or a virtual machine, or a machine running in acloud infrastructure as a service), or multiple servers networkedtogether, exposing at least one API to client(s) accessing it. Theseservers may include components such as application servers (e.g.software servers), depending upon what other components are included,such as a caching layer, or database layers, or other components. Abackend API may, for example, comprise many such applications, each ofwhich communicate with one another using their public APIs. In someembodiments, the API backend may hold the bulk of the user data andoffer the user management capabilities, leaving the clients to have verylimited state.

The backend API 120 illustrated FIG. 1 may include one or more APIs. AnAPI is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software andapplications. An API expresses a software component in terms of itsoperations, inputs, outputs, and underlying types, definingfunctionalities that are independent of their respectiveimplementations, which allows definitions and implementations to varywithout compromising the interface. Advantageously, an API may provide aprogrammer with access to an application's functionality without theprogrammer needing to modify the application itself, or even understandhow the application works. An API may be for a web-based system, anoperating system, or a database system, and it provides facilities todevelop applications for that system using a given programming language.In addition to accessing databases or computer hardware like hard diskdrives or video cards, an API can ease the work of programming graphicaluser interface (GUI) components. For example, an API can facilitateintegration of new features into existing applications (a so-called“plug-in API”). An API can also assist otherwise distinct applicationswith sharing data, which can help to integrate and enhance thefunctionalities of the applications.

The backend API 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 may further include one ormore services (also referred to as network services). A network serviceis an application that provides data storage, manipulation,presentation, communication, and/or other capability. Network servicesare often implemented using a client-server architecture based onapplication-layer network protocols. Each service may be provided by aserver component running on one or more computers (such as a dedicatedserver computer offering multiple services) and accessed via a networkby client components running on other devices. However, the client andserver components can both be run on the same machine. Clients andservers may have a user interface, and sometimes other hardwareassociated with them.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process for streaming and storingA/V content from the floodlight controller 100 according to variousaspects of the present disclosure. At block B130, the floodlightcontroller 100 detects the visitor's presence and captures video imageswithin a field of view of the camera 104. The floodlight controller 100may also capture audio through the microphone 106. At block B132, thefloodlight controller 100 turns on at least one floodlight of anassociated floodlight device to illuminate the area about the floodlightcontroller 100. As described above, the floodlight controller 100 maydetect the visitor's presence by detecting motion using the camera 104and/or a motion sensor. Also as described above, the videorecording/capture may begin when the visitor is detected, or may beginearlier, as described below.

At block B134, a communication module of the floodlight controller 100sends a request, via the user's network 110 and the network 112, to adevice in the network 112. For example, the network device to which therequest is sent may be a server such as the server 118. The server 118may comprise a computer program and/or a machine that waits for requestsfrom other machines or software (clients) and responds to them. A servertypically processes data. One purpose of a server is to share dataand/or hardware and/or software resources among clients. Thisarchitecture is called the client-server model. The clients may run onthe same computer or may connect to the server over a network. Examplesof computing servers include database servers, file servers, mailservers, print servers, web servers, game servers, and applicationservers. The term server may be construed broadly to include anycomputerized process that shares a resource to one or more clientprocesses. In another example, the network device to which the requestis sent may be an API such as the backend API 120, which is describedabove.

In response to the request, at block B136 the network device may connectthe floodlight controller 100 to the user's client device 114 throughthe user's network 110 and the network 112. At block B138, thefloodlight controller 100 may record available audio and/or video datausing the camera 104, the microphone 106, and/or any other device/sensoravailable. At block B140, the audio and/or video data is transmitted(streamed) from the floodlight controller 100 to the user's clientdevice 114 via the user's network 110 and the network 112. At blockB142, the user may receive a notification on his or her client device114 with a prompt to either accept or deny the call.

The notification at the user's client device 114 may include the livestreaming audio and/or video, thus enabling the user to determinewhether he or she should answer the call. If, for example, the streamingvideo shows that a person is in the field of view of the camera, theuser may wish to answer the call in order to speak with that person. Inone example, the person in the field of view of the camera may be avisitor whose identity is known to the user. In such a case, the usermay desire to converse with the visitor. In another example, the personin the field of view of the camera may be an intruder whose identity isnot known to the user. In such a case, the user may desire to startlethe intruder and encourage him or her to flee, for example, by speaking(or shouting) a warning that the intruder is being recorded and/or thatlaw enforcement has been notified and is en route to the property wherethe floodlight controller 100 is located.

At block B144, the process determines whether the user has accepted ordenied the call. If the user denies the notification, then the processadvances to block B146, where the audio and/or video data is recordedand stored at a cloud server. The session then ends at block B148 andthe connection between the floodlight controller 100 and the user'sclient device 114 is terminated. If, however, the user accepts thenotification, then at block B150 the user communicates with thevisitor/intruder through the user's client device 114 while audio and/orvideo data captured by the camera 104, the microphone 106, and/or otherdevices/sensors is/are streamed to the user's client device 114. At theend of the call, the user may terminate the connection between theuser's client device 114 and the floodlight controller 100 and thesession ends at block B148. In some embodiments, the audio and/or videodata may be recorded and stored at a cloud server (block B146) even ifthe user accepts the notification and communicates with thevisitor/intruder through the user's client device 114.

As described above, one aspect of the present floodlight controllerincludes the realization that exterior lighting systems may be improvedby adding audio/video (A/V) recording and communication capabilities.For example, when a motion sensor of an exterior lighting system detectsan intruder, the lights may be activated, which may startle theintruder. But the intruder is likely to be further startled, and thusmore likely to flee, if he or she hears the sound of a human voice.Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a floodlight controller for anexterior lighting system having a camera that enables the property owner(or renter) to see a live view of the area near the lighting system, anda speaker that enables the property owner (or renter) to provide a liveverbal warning to any intruders. The present embodiments provide theseadvantages. The present embodiments further advantageously upload audioand/or video captured by the floodlight controller to the cloud forrecording on a remote server. The A/V footage is useful to lawenforcement in capturing perpetrators of home burglaries and othercrimes. Further, the presence of the floodlight controller on theexterior of a home acts as a powerful deterrent against would-beburglars.

Embodiments of the present floodlight controller are advantageouslyconfigured to be connected to the existing household AC power supply.The camera of the present floodlight controller can thus be powered oncontinuously. Because the camera is able to be powered on continuously,it can always be recording, and recorded footage can be continuouslystored in a rolling buffer or sliding window. In some embodiments, about10-15 seconds of recorded footage can be continuously stored in therolling buffer or sliding window. Also because the camera is able to bepowered on continuously, it can be used for motion detection. The cameracan thus supplement the functionality of a separate motion detectiondevice, such as a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, or eliminate the needfor a separate motion detection device. Also because the camera is ableto be powered on continuously, it can be used as a light detector foruse in controlling the current state of the IR cut filter and turningthe IR LED on and off. The camera can thus supplement the functionalityof a separate photosensor, or eliminate the need for a separatephotosensor.

FIGS. 3-10 illustrate one embodiment of the floodlight controller 100according to various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is afunctional block diagram illustrating various components of thefloodlight controller 100 and their relationships to one another. Forexample, the floodlight controller 100 comprises an AC/DC adapter 160.The floodlight controller 100 is thus configured to be connected to asource of external AC (alternating-current) power, such as a householdAC power supply (may also be referred to as AC mains). The AC power mayhave a voltage in the range of 110-220 VAC, for example. The incoming ACpower may be received by the AC/DC adapter 160, which may convert theincoming AC power to DC (direct-current) and may step down the voltagefrom 110-220 VAC to a lower output voltage of about 12 VDC and an outputcurrent of about 2 A, for example. In various embodiments, the output ofthe AC/DC adapter 160 may be in a range of from about 9 V to about 15 V,for example, and in a range of from about 0.5 A to about 5 A, forexample. These voltages and currents are only examples provided forillustration and are not limiting in any way.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the floodlight controller 100 furthercomprises other components, including a processor 162 (may also bereferred to as a controller), a photosensor 164, an audio CODEC(coder-decoder) 166, the at least one speaker 108, the at least onemicrophone 106, at least one motion sensor 168, an infrared (IR) lightsource 170, an IR cut filter 172, an image sensor 174 (may be acomponent of the camera 104, and may be referred to interchangeably asthe camera 104), volatile memory 176, non-volatile memory 178, acommunication module 180, a button 182, a switch 184 for controlling oneor more floodlights, and a plurality of light indicators 186. Each ofthese components is described in detail below.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the processor 162 may perform dataprocessing and various other functions, as described below. Theprocessor 162 may comprise an integrated circuit including a processorcore, the volatile memory 176, the non-volatile memory 178, and/orprogrammable input/output peripherals (not shown). The volatile memory176 may comprise, for example, DDR3 SDRAM (double data rate type threesynchronous dynamic random-access memory). The non-volatile memory 178may comprise, for example, NAND flash memory. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3, the volatile memory 176 and the non-volatilememory 178 are illustrated outside the box representing the processor162. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is, however, merely anexample, and in some embodiments the volatile memory 176 and/or thenon-volatile memory 178 may be physically incorporated with theprocessor 162, such as on the same chip. The volatile memory 176 and/orthe non-volatile memory 178, regardless of their physical location, maybe shared by one or more other components (in addition to the processor162) of the present floodlight controller 100.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the image sensor 174 (camera 104), theIR light source 170, the IR cut filter 172, and the photosensor 164 areall operatively coupled to the processor 162. As described in detailbelow, the IR light source 170 and the IR cut filter 172 facilitate“night vision” functionality of the camera 104. For example, thephotosensor 164 is configured to detect the level of ambient light aboutthe floodlight controller 100. The processor 162 uses the input from thephotosensor 164 to control the states of the IR light source 170 and theIR cut filter 172 to activate and deactivate night vision, as describedbelow. In some embodiments, the image sensor 174 may comprise a videorecording sensor or a camera chip. In some embodiments, the IR lightsource 170 may comprise one or more IR light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

With further reference to FIG. 3, the at least one speaker 108 and theat least one microphone 106 are operatively coupled to the audio CODEC166, which is operatively coupled to the processor 162. The transfer ofdigital audio between the user and a visitor (or intruder) may becompressed and decompressed using the audio CODEC 166, as describedbelow. The motion sensor(s) 168 is also operatively coupled to theprocessor 162. The motion sensor(s) 168 may comprise, for example,passive infrared (PIR) sensors, or any other type of sensor capable ofdetecting and communicating to the processor 162 the presence and/ormotion of an object within its field of view. When the processor 162 istriggered by the motion sensor(s) 168, the processor 162 may perform oneor more functions, as described below.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the communication module 180 isoperatively coupled to the processor 162. The communication module 180,which includes at least one antenna 188, is configured to handlecommunication links between the floodlight controller 100 and other,external devices or receivers, and to route incoming/outgoing dataappropriately. For example, inbound data from the antenna(s) 188 may berouted through the communication module 180 before being directed to theprocessor 162, and outbound data from the processor 162 may be routedthrough the communication module 180 before being directed to theantenna(s) 188. The communication module 180 may include one or moretransceiver modules capable of transmitting and receiving data, andusing, for example, one or more protocols and/or technologies, such asGSM, UMTS (3GSM), IS-95 (CDMA one), IS-2000 (CDMA 2000), LTE, FDMA,TDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA, OFDMA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, or any otherprotocol and/or technology. In the illustrated embodiment, thecommunication module 180 includes a Wi-Fi chip 190 and a Bluetooth chip192, but these components are merely examples and are not limiting.Further, while the Wi-Fi chip 190 and the Bluetooth chip 192 areillustrated within the box representing the communication module 180,the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and in someembodiments the Wi-Fi chip 190 and/or the Bluetooth chip 192 are notnecessarily physically incorporated with the communication module 180.

In some embodiments, the communication module 180 may further comprise awireless repeater (not shown, may al so be referred to as a wirelessrange extender). The wireless repeater is configured to receive awireless signal from a wireless router (or another network device) inthe user's network 110 and rebroadcast the signal. Wireless devices thatare not within the broadcast range of the wireless router, or that onlyweakly receive the wireless signal from the wireless router, may receivethe rebroadcast signal from the wireless repeater of the communicationmodule 180, and may thus connect to the user's network 110 through thefloodlight controller 100. In some embodiments, the wireless repeatermay include one or more transceiver modules (not shown) capable oftransmitting and receiving data, and using, for example, one or moreprotocols and/or technologies, such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), WiMAX (IEEE802.16), or any other protocol and/or technology.

With further reference to FIG. 3, when a visitor (or intruder) who ispresent in the area about the floodlight controller 100 speaks, audiofrom the visitor (or intruder) is received by the microphone(s) 106 andcompressed by the audio CODEC 166. Digital audio data is then sentthrough the communication module 180 to the network 112 (FIG. 1) via theuser's network 110, routed by the server 118 and/or the API 120, anddelivered to the user's client device 114. When the user speaks, afterbeing transferred through the network 112, the user's network 110, andthe communication module 180, the digital audio data from the user isdecompressed by the audio CODEC 166 and emitted to the visitor throughthe speaker 108, which may be driven by a speaker 108 driver (notshown).

With further reference to FIG. 3, the button 182 is operatively coupledto the processor 162. The button 182 may have one or more functions,such as changing an operating mode of the floodlight controller 100and/or triggering a reset of the floodlight controller 100. For example,when the button 182 is pressed and released, it may cause thecommunication module 180 of the floodlight controller 100 to enteraccess point (AP) mode, which may facilitate connecting the floodlightcontroller 100 to the user's network 110. Alternatively, or in addition,when the button 182 is pressed and held down for at least a thresholdamount of time, it may trigger the erasing of any data stored at thevolatile memory 176 and/or at the non-volatile memory 178, and/or maytrigger a reboot of the processor 162.

With reference to FIG. 4, the floodlight controller 100 comprises ahousing 200 for containing and protecting the interior components of thefloodlight controller 100. The housing 200 includes a front wall 202, arear wall 204, opposing side walls 206, 208, an upper wall 210, and atapered lower portion 212. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the frontwall 202 includes a central opening 214 (FIG. 5) that receives an uppershield 216 and a lower grill 218 (FIG. 4). In the illustratedembodiment, front surfaces of the upper shield 216 and the lower grill218 are substantially flush with a front surface of the front wall 202,but in alternative embodiments these surfaces may not be flush with oneanother. With reference to FIG. 4, the upper shield 216 is substantiallyrectangular, and includes a semicircular indentation 220 along its loweredge 222. The lower grill 218 is substantially rectangular, and includesa semicircular indentation 224 along its upper edge 226. Together, thesemicircular indentations 220, 224 in the upper shield 216 and the lowergrill 218 form a circular opening 228 that accommodates a light pipe230. A cover 232 extends across and closes an outer open end of thelight pipe 230. The upper shield 216, the lower grill 218, the lightpipe 230, and the cover 232 are all described in further detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the floodlight controller 100 furthercomprises the camera 104. The camera 104 is configured to capture videoimages from within its field of view. Those video images can be streamedto the user's client device 114 (FIG. 1) and/or uploaded to a remotenetwork device, such as the storage device 116 and/or the server 118,for later viewing according to a process similar to, or the same as,that described above with reference to FIG. 2. The camera 104 is locatedin the circular opening 228 formed by the upper shield 216 and the lowergrill 218 (FIG. 4), behind the cover 232, and is surrounded by the lightpipe 230 (FIGS. 5 and 6). The cover 232 is preferably transparent ortranslucent so that it does not interfere with the field of view of thecamera 104. For example, in certain embodiments the cover 232 maycomprise colorless glass or plastic.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the camera 104 is coupled to a frontsurface 234 (FIG. 7) of a camera printed circuit board (PCB) 236, andincludes a lens 238 (FIG. 6) and an imaging processor 240 (FIG. 7). Thecamera lens 238 may be a lens capable of focusing light into the camera104 so that clear images may be captured. The camera 104 may comprise,for example, a high definition (HD) video camera, such as one capable ofcapturing video images at an image display resolution of 1080p orbetter. In certain of the present embodiments, the camera 104 may beused to detect motion within its field of view, as described below.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the floodlight controller 100 furthercomprises the infrared (IR) light source 170. In the illustratedembodiment, the IR light source 170 is located within the centralopening 214 (FIG. 5) of the front wall 202, above the camera 104, andcomprises a plurality of IR light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 242 coupled toa pair of IR LED printed circuit boards (PCBs) 244. With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, the IR LEDs 242 are located behind the upper shield 216.The upper shield 216 preferably comprises a material that is transparentto IR light, but may be partially or mostly opaque with respect to lightin the visible spectrum. For example, in certain embodiments the uppershield 216 may comprise a tinted plastic, such as polycarbonate. Theupper shield 216, therefore, does not significantly interfere withtransmission of IR light from the IR light source 170, which is locatedbehind the upper shield 216. As described in detail below, the IR lightsource 170 (in conjunction with the IR cut filter 172) facilitates“night vision” functionality of the camera 104. The illustratedconfiguration of the IR light source 170, having IR LED PCBs 244 witheach PCB including three IR LEDs 242, is merely one example and is notlimiting. In alternative embodiments, the IR light source 170 may haveany number of IR LED PCBs 244 and/or IR LEDs 242. In further alternativeembodiments, the IR light source 170 may not comprise any IR LED PCBs244. For example, the IR LEDs 242 may be secured to one or more othercomponents of the floodlight controller 100. In still furtheralternative embodiments, the IR light source 170 may not comprise any IRLEDs 242, but may instead comprise another type of IR light-emittingcomponent(s).

The IR light source 170 may be triggered to activate when a low level ofambient light is detected by the photosensor 164 and/or the camera 104.When activated, IR light emitted from the IR light source 170illuminates the camera 104's field of view. The camera 104, which may beconfigured to detect IR light, may then capture the IR light emitted bythe IR light source 170 as it reflects off objects within the camera104's field of view, so that the floodlight controller 100 can clearlycapture images at night (may be referred to as “night vision”).

As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the floodlight controller100 further comprises the IR cut filter 172. The IR cut filter 172 is amechanical shutter that can be selectively positioned between the lens238 and the image sensor 174 of the camera 104. During daylight hours,or whenever there is a sufficient amount of ambient light, the IR cutfilter 172 is positioned between the lens 238 and the image sensor 174to filter out IR light so that it does not distort the colors of imagesas the human eye sees them. During nighttime hours, or whenever there islittle to no ambient light, the IR cut filter 172 is withdrawn from thespace between the lens 238 and the image sensor 174, so that the camera104 is sensitive to IR light (“night vision”). The processor 162 maycontrol the current state of the IR cut filter 172 based on the inputreceived from the photosensor 164. In some embodiments, however, thephotosensor 164 may be omitted and the camera 104 may act as a lightdetector for use in controlling the current state of the IR cut filter172 (and turning the IR light source 170 on and off). Using the camera104 as a light detector is facilitated in some embodiments by the factthat the floodlight controller 100 is powered by a connection to ACmains, and the camera 104, therefore, may always be powered on.

With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the floodlight controller 100further comprises the speaker 108. In the illustrated embodiment, thespeaker 108 is located within the central opening 214 (FIG. 5) of thefront wall 202, below the camera 104. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,the speaker 108 is located behind the lower grill 218. The lower grill218 is preferably configured to facilitate the passage of sound throughthe lower grill 218 so that sounds emanating from the speaker 108 areclearly audible in the area around the floodlight controller 100. Forexample, in some embodiments the lower grill 218 may comprise aplurality of perforations (not shown). The lower grill 218 is preferablydurable and weatherproof, and may comprise a plastic or metal material,for example. With reference to FIG. 5, the speaker 108 may be recessedwithin the floodlight controller 100, and a space in front of thespeaker 108 may form a speaker chamber 246 configured to amplify thesounds made by the speaker 108 so that they are clearly audible in thearea around the floodlight controller 100. The speaker chamber 246 maycomprise a wall portion 248 extending outward from and/or around thespeaker 108 toward the front wall 202 of the housing 200.

With reference to FIG. 5, the upper shield 216 and/or the lower grill218 may abut an underlying backing plate 250, which may be integral withthe housing 200 or may be a separate piece. The backing plate 250, whichmay be opaque, may include a first opening 252 corresponding to thelocation of the camera 104, a second opening 254 above the first openingand corresponding to the location of the IR light source 170, and athird opening 256 below the first opening 252 and corresponding to thelocation of the speaker 108.

With reference to FIG. 6, the floodlight controller 100 furthercomprises the microphones 106. In the illustrated embodiment, a firstone 258 of the microphones 106 is located along the front of thefloodlight controller 100 behind the upper shield 216 (FIG. 4) and asecond one 260 of the microphones 106 is located along the left side ofthe floodlight controller 100 behind the left-side wall 208 (FIG. 4) ofthe housing 200. Including two microphones 258, 260 that are spaced fromone another and located on different sides of the floodlight controller100 provides the illustrated embodiment of the floodlight controller 100with advantageous noise cancelling and/or echo cancelling for cleareraudio. The illustrated embodiment is, however, just one example and isnot limiting. Alternative embodiments may only include one microphone106, or include two microphones 106 in different locations than asillustrated in FIG. 6.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper shield 216 may include afirst microphone opening 262 (FIG. 4) and the backing plate 250 mayinclude a second microphone opening 264 (FIG. 5). The first and secondmicrophone openings 262, 264, which are aligned with one another andlocated in front of the first microphone 258 (FIG. 6), facilitate thepassage of sound through the upper shield 216 and the backing plate 250so that sounds from the area about the floodlight controller 100 canreach the first microphone 258. With reference to FIG. 8, the left-sidewall 208 of the housing 200 may include a third microphone opening 266located in front of the second microphone 260 (FIG. 6) that facilitatesthe passage of sound through the left-side wall 208 of the housing 200so that sounds from the area about the floodlight controller 100 canreach the second microphone 260.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7, the floodlight controller 100 furthercomprises the light pipe 230. The light pipe 230 is a transparent ortranslucent ring that encircles the camera 104 (FIGS. 5 and 6) and thecover 232 (FIG. 7). With reference to FIG. 5, the light pipe 230 residesin an annular space between the first opening 252 in the backing plate250 and the camera 104, with a front surface of the light pipe 230 beingsubstantially flush with the front surfaces of the cover 232, the uppershield 216, and the lower grill 218, as shown in FIG. 4. With referenceto FIGS. 6 and 7, a rear portion of the light pipe 230 includes aplurality of feet 268 encircling the rear periphery of the light pipe230. The feet 268 abut a light ring printed circuit board (PCB) 270,which includes the light indicators 186 (FIG. 3) arranged in a ring on afront surface of the PCB 270, with positions of the light indicators 186corresponding to the positions of the feet 268. In some embodiments, thelight indicators 186 may comprise a plurality of LEDs that are surfacemounted to the front surface of the light ring PCB 270 and are arrangedin a circle around the light pipe 230. The present embodiments are notlimited to the light indicators 186 being LEDs, however, and inalternative embodiments the light indicators 186 may comprise any othertype of light-emitting device. When the light indicators 186 areilluminated, light is transmitted through the feet 268 and the body ofthe light pipe 230 so that the light is visible at the front surface ofthe light pipe 230. The light indicators 186 and the light pipe 230 thusprovide a ring of illumination around the camera 104 and the cover 232.The light pipe 230 may comprise a plastic, for example, or any othersuitable material capable of transmitting light.

The light indicators 186 and the light pipe 230 may function as visualindicators for a visitor and/or a user. For example, the lightindicators 186 may illuminate upon activation or stay illuminatedcontinuously. In one aspect, the light indicators 186 may change colorto indicate that motion has been detected in the area about thefloodlight controller 100. In another aspect, the light indicators 186may indicate, with different colors and/or different blinking patterns,for example, that a connection to the user's network 110 is good,limited, poor, or not connected. In another aspect, the light indicators186 may be used to guide the user through setup or installation stepsusing visual cues, potentially coupled with audio cues emitted from thespeaker 108. In alternative embodiments, the light pipe 230 may beomitted.

With reference to FIG. 4, the floodlight controller 100 may furthercomprise a light barrier 272 surrounding inner and outer surfaces of thelight pipe 230. The light barrier 272 may comprise a substantiallyopaque material that prevents the light generated by the lightindicators 186 from bleeding into the interior spaces of the floodlightcontroller 100 around the light pipe 230. The light barrier 272 maycomprise a resilient material, such as a plastic, which may alsoadvantageously provide moisture sealing at the junctures between thelight pipe 230 and the upper shield 216 and the lower grill 218.Portions of the light barrier 272 may also extend between the juncturesbetween the upper shield 216 and the lower grill 218.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate various internal components of the floodlightcontroller 100, including a main printed circuit board (PCB) 274. One ormore components of the floodlight controller 100 may be coupled to themain PCB 274, including one or more of the processor 162, the volatilememory 176, the non-volatile memory 178, and/or the audio CODEC 166.Each of these components is described above and illustrated in FIG. 3.With reference to FIG. 7, the AC/DC adapter 160 is coupled to the rearsurface of the main PCB 274, and the antenna 188, which is operativelyconnected to the communication module 180, extends along a side edge ofthe main PCB 274. With further reference to FIG. 7, the floodlightcontroller 100 further comprises a communication PCB 276 to which thecommunication module 180 is coupled. In alternative embodiments, thecommunication PCB 276 may be omitted and the communication module 180may be coupled to the main PCB 274, for example, or to another PCB.

With reference to FIG. 8, the floodlight controller 100 furthercomprises the motion sensor(s) 168. In the illustrated embodiment, themotion sensor(s) 168 comprise passive infrared (PIR) sensors, and threePIR sensors 168 are provided. The illustrated type and number of motionsensors is, however, merely one non-limiting example. The PIR sensors168 are arranged about three surfaces of an inverted pyramidal PIRsensor holder 278. The PIR sensor holder 278 is coupled to a lowersurface of a motion sensor printed circuit board (PCB) 280 located inthe lower portion 212 of the floodlight controller housing 200. The PIRsensors 168 are arranged such that a first one 282 of the PIR sensors168 is pointed toward the front of the floodlight controller 100 andsecond and third ones 284, 286 of the PIR sensors 168 are pointed towardthe right and left sides, respectively, of the floodlight controller100. The PIR sensors 168 are thus able to cover an angle ofapproximately 270° around the front and sides of the floodlightcontroller 100. The angled surfaces of the PIR sensor holder 278 furtherpoint the PIR sensors 168 at a downward angle. This configuration iswell suited to a typical use case for the floodlight controller 100,since floodlights are typically located above the head level of a personof average height. A person (or other object) moving at ground levelwithin the area about the floodlight controller 100 is thus likely to bewell within the field of view of the PIR sensors 168.

The motion sensors 168 are configured to detect motion within the areaabout the floodlight controller 100. When motion is detected, outputsignals from the motion sensors 168 are received by the processor 162(FIG. 3), and a process similar to (or the same as) that described abovewith reference to FIG. 2 may be initiated. In some embodiments, thecamera 104 may also be used for detecting motion within the area aboutthe floodlight controller 100. In one example embodiment, detectingmotion with the camera 104 may comprise comparing video frames recordedby the camera 104. For example, the processor 162 (and/or a separatecamera processor) may receive inputs of video frames from the camera104, compare pixel differences between successive frames, and, if thepixel differences are substantial (such as being greater than one ormore thresholds), determine that the pixel differences are indicative ofmotion within the field of view of the camera 104. The processor 162 maythen initiate a process similar to (or the same as) that described abovewith reference to FIG. 2.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a lower end of the housing 200 includesan opening 288 (FIG. 8) that receives a Fresnel lens 290 (FIG. 7). Theconvexly shaped Fresnel lens 290 covers and closes the lower end opening288 of the housing 200. The Fresnel lens 290 is configured to focus andconcentrate incoming IR light on the PIR sensors 168, thereby enhancingthe effectiveness and/or sensitivity of the PIR sensors 168. Inalternative embodiments, the Fresnel lens 290 may be omitted.

With reference to FIG. 9, the floodlight controller 100 furthercomprises connecting hardware 292 configured for connecting thefloodlight controller 100 to a floodlight device 294 (FIG. 10) and apower source (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the connectinghardware 292 comprises a first connecting member 296 secured to the rearwall 204 of the housing 200 and a second connecting member 298configured to be secured to the floodlight device 294. The first andsecond connecting members 296, 298 meet at a ball-and-socket joint 300,such that the first and second connecting members 296, 298 areconfigured to articulate with respect to one another. An end of thesecond connecting member 298 opposite the ball-and-socket joint 300includes threads 302 configured to matingly engage threads (not shown)on the floodlight device 294 to secure the floodlight controller 100 tothe floodlight device 294. When the second connecting member 298 issecured to the floodlight device 294, the ball-and-socket joint 300enables the orientation of the floodlight controller 100 to be adjustedso that the camera 104 can be aimed in any desired direction. Theball-and-socket joint 300 is, however, just one non-limiting example. Inalternative embodiments, other types of joints may be provided betweenthe first and second connecting members 296, 298, includingnon-articulating joints. In further alternative embodiments, theconnecting hardware 292 may comprise a single unitary member, ratherthan first and second connecting members 296, 298. Similarly, thethreads 302 of the second connecting member 298 are just onenon-limiting example. In alternative embodiments, other types ofconnections may be provided between the second connecting member 298 andthe floodlight device 294, such as a friction fit.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the floodlight controller 100 furthercomprises a plurality of wires 304 for connecting the floodlightcontroller 100 to the power supply and to the floodlight(s) 306 (FIG.10) of the floodlight device 294 (for enabling the floodlight controller100 to turn the floodlight(s) 306 on and off). In the illustratedembodiment, three wires 304 are shown, but the illustrated embodiment ismerely one example and is not limiting. In alternative embodiments, anynumber of wires 304 may be provided.

In some embodiments, the connecting hardware 292 of the floodlightcontroller 100 is configured to enable easy substitution of thefloodlight controller 100 for an existing motion detector of thefloodlight device 294. Many floodlight assemblies include a motiondetector that is easily separable from the remainder of the floodlightdevice. Many of these floodlight assemblies include universal-typeconnectors that mate the motion detector to the floodlight device. Someembodiments of the present floodlight controllers 100 may thus includeconnecting members that readily mate with these universal-typeconnectors, enabling an owner of virtually any floodlight device toeasily remove the device's existing motion detector and connect thepresent floodlight controller 100 in its place. To further facilitateremoval of an existing motion detector and replacement with the presentfloodlight controller 100, the wires 304 may include a plug-in connector(not shown) that mates with a corresponding plug-in connector (notshown) on the floodlight device. In alternative embodiments, embodimentsof the present floodlight controllers 100 may be combined with afloodlight device during production/manufacturing to produce afloodlight assembly. The floodlight assembly including the presentfloodlight controller 100 may then be sold as a preassembled unit.

With reference to FIG. 3, the illustrated embodiment of the presentfloodlight controller 100 further comprises the switch 184 for turningthe floodlight(s) 306 (FIG. 10) of an associated floodlight device 294on and off. The switch 184 is operatively connected to the processor 162and has an open condition and a closed condition. When the switch 184 isin the open condition the floodlight(s) 306 of the floodlight device 294are off, and when the switch 184 is in the closed condition thefloodlight(s) 306 of the floodlight device 294 are on. When thefloodlight controller 100 detects motion, the processor 162 produces anoutput to the switch 184 to cause the switch 184 to transition from theopen condition to the closed condition, thereby turning on thefloodlight(s) 306 of the floodlight device 294.

Operation of the floodlight controller 100 of FIGS. 3-10 is describedbelow with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. At block B130, thefloodlight controller 100 detects motion (e.g. from a visitor or anintruder) and captures video images within a field of view of the camera104. The floodlight controller 100 may detect the motion using thecamera 104 and/or the motion sensor(s) 168. For example, the processor162 may receive an input signal from at least one of the camera 104 andthe motion sensor(s) 168, where the input signal indicates motion. Theprocessor 162 may then send an output signal to the camera 104 tocapture video images within a field of view of the camera 104. Inembodiments of the floodlight controller 100 that don't include a motionsensor 168 separate from the camera 104, the floodlight controller 100may detect the motion using the camera 104. As described above, thevideo recording/capture may begin when the motion is detected.Alternatively, also as described above, the video recording/capture maybegin before the motion is detected, such as, for example, inembodiments in which the camera 104 is always on. The floodlightcontroller 100 may also capture audio through the microphone 106.

At block B132, the floodlight controller 100 turns on at least onefloodlight 306 (FIG. 10) of an associated floodlight device 294 toilluminate the area about the floodlight controller 100. For example,the processor 162 may send an output signal to the switch 184 to causethe switch 184 to close, thereby turning on the at least one floodlight306 of the floodlight device 294.

At block B134, the communication module 180 of the floodlight controller100 sends a request, via the user's network 110 and the network 112, toa device in the network 112. For example, the processor 162 may send anoutput signal to the communication module 180 to cause the communicationmodule 180 to send the request to the device in the network 112. Forexample, the network device to which the request is sent may be a serversuch as the server 118 or an API such as the backend API 120.

In response to the request, at block B136 the network device may connectthe floodlight controller 100 to the user's client device 114 throughthe user's network 110 and the network 112. At block B138, thefloodlight controller 100 may record available audio and/or video datausing the camera 104, the microphone 106, and/or any other device/sensoravailable. At block B140, the audio and/or video data is transmitted(streamed) from the floodlight controller 100 to the user's clientdevice 114 via the user's network 110 and the network 112. For example,the processor 162 may send an output signal to the communication module180 to cause the communication module 180 to transmit (stream) the audioand/or video data from the floodlight controller 100 to the user'sclient device 114 via the user's network 110 and the network 112. Atblock B142, the user may receive a notification on his or her clientdevice 114 with a prompt to either accept or deny the call.

At block B144, the process determines whether the user has accepted ordenied the call. If the user denies the notification, then the processadvances to block B146, where the audio and/or video data is recordedand stored at a cloud server (such as the storage device 116 and/or theserver 118). The session then ends at block B148 and the connectionbetween the floodlight controller 100 and the user's client device 114is terminated. If, however, the user accepts the notification, then atblock B150 the user communicates with the visitor through the user'sclient device 114 while audio and/or video data captured by the camera104, the microphone 106, and/or other devices/sensors is streamed to theuser's client device 114. At the end of the call, the user may terminatethe connection between the user's client device 114 and the floodlightcontroller 100 and the session ends at block B148. In some embodiments,the audio and/or video data may be recorded and stored at a cloud server(block B146) even if the user accepts the notification and communicateswith the visitor through the user's client device 114.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present floodlightcontrollers 310. The embodiment 310 of FIG. 11 includes all of thecomponents of the embodiment 100 of FIG. 3, plus storage 312 and abattery 314. The storage 312 may comprise any type of non-volatile datastorage, such as, for example, and without limitation, harddisks/drives, flash memory, or any other suitable memory/storageelement. The storage 312, which is operatively connected to theprocessor 162, may be used to store audio and/or video informationcaptured by the floodlight controller 310, as described in furtherdetail below. The battery 314, which is operatively connected to theprocessor 162, may comprise a rechargeable battery, such as alithium-ion battery or any other type of rechargeable battery.

As described above, the present floodlight controllers 100, 310 areconnected to an external power source, such as AC mains. The embodiment310 of FIG. 11 is similarly primarily powered by the external powersource, but may also draw power from the rechargeable battery 314, suchas when the external power source is not available, for example in theevent of a power outage. During a power outage, the user's network 110is likely to be unavailable, making it impossible to stream audio and/orvideo information from the floodlight controller 310 to the user'sclient device 114, or to transmit the audio and/or video information tothe remote storage device 116. Advantageously, however, during a poweroutage the embodiment 310 of FIG. 11, by drawing power from therechargeable battery 314, can still capture and record audio and/orvideo information and store the audio and/or video information locallyat the storage 312. When AC mains power is restored, and the user'snetwork 110 again becomes available, the stored audio and/or videoinformation at the storage 312 can then be uploaded to the remotestorage device 116. The embodiment of the floodlight controller 310 ofFIG. 11 is thus advantageously able to function to record and storeaudio and video information even when AC power is unavailable. In someembodiments, the battery 314 may be configured to also provide power toat least one floodlight 306 of a floodlight device 294 to which thefloodlight controller 310 is operatively connected. In such embodiments,the floodlight controller 310 of FIG. 11 is further advantageously ableto turn on the floodlight(s) 306 even when AC power is unavailable.

The embodiment 310 of FIG. 11 may further comprise a power manager (notshown) configured to control from which source (AC mains or therechargeable battery 314) the floodlight controller 310 draws power. Thepower manager may also control recharging of the battery 314 using powerdrawn from the external power source (AC mains). Alternative embodimentsof the present floodlight controllers may include one or the other butnot both of the storage 312 and the battery 314 shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process for recording and storingA/V content with the floodlight controller 310 of FIG. 11 according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. At the beginning of (or justprior to the beginning of) the process of FIG. 12, the floodlightcontroller 310 is connected to, and draws power from, an external powersource (AC mains). At block B320, the AC mains power is terminated,which may happen, for example, due to a power outage, or due to adeliberate act of cutting the power to a home or business at which thefloodlight controller 310 is located. At block B322, in response to theloss of AC mains power, the floodlight controller 310 draws power fromthe battery 314. For example, the power manager may detect the loss ofAC mains power and switch the power source of the floodlight controller310 from AC mains to the battery 314.

At block B324, the floodlight controller 310 detects motion and capturesvideo images and/or audio. As described above, the floodlight controller310 may detect motion via one or both of the camera 104 and the motionsensor(s) 168. At block B326, the floodlight controller 310 turns on thefloodlight(s) 306 of the floodlight device 294 to illuminate the areaabout the floodlight controller 310. In some embodiments, the battery314 of the floodlight controller 310 may not provide power to thefloodlight device 294 when AC mains power is not available. In suchembodiments, the floodlight controller 310 may activate the IR lightsource 170 to provide IR illumination (night vision) in the area aboutthe floodlight controller 310.

At block B328, the floodlight controller 310 records audio and/or videoof the area in the field of view of the camera 104, and stores the audioand/or video information at the local storage 312 of the floodlightcontroller 310. At block B330, AC mains power is restored. At some timeafter AC mains power is restored, the user's network 110 once againbecomes available. Thus, at block B332, the audio and/or video stored atthe local storage 312 of the floodlight controller 310 is uploaded to anetwork device, such as the storage 116 and/or the server 118, via theuser's network 110 and the network 112. At block B334, the process ends.

In some embodiments, the present floodlight controllers 100, 310 mayautomatically emit a sound through the speaker 108 when motion isdetected in the area about the floodlight controller 100, 310. Forexample, the sound may be a loud beep, whoop, squawk, or any other typeof loud noise likely to startle any person within earshot of the speaker108. The sound may be emitted simultaneously with (or very close in timeto) the turning on of the floodlight(s) 306 of the floodlight device294. The loud noise, coupled with the sudden illumination, may be morelikely, compared with illumination alone, to startle an intruder andcause him or her to flee.

FIG. 13 is an upper front perspective view of another embodiment of afloodlight controller 101 with wireless A/V recording and communicationfeatures according to the present disclosure. Some of the components ofthe floodlight controller 101 illustrated in FIG. 13 may be similar toor the same as components of the floodlight controller 100 discussedabove and shown in FIGS. 4-10. For clarity, components of the floodlightcontroller 101 that are similar to or substantially the same ascomponents of the floodlight controller 100 may be called out with thesame reference numbers as in FIGS. 4-10. Components of the floodlightcontroller 101 sharing the same reference numbers as components of thefloodlight controller 100 are not, however, necessarily identical, andthe use of common reference numbers to describe components ofalternative embodiments should not be interpreted as implying that thosecomponents are necessarily identical, although in some cases they mightbe.

With reference to FIG. 13, the floodlight controller 101 may comprise ahousing 200 for containing and protecting the interior components of thefloodlight controller 101. The housing 200 may include a front wall 202,a rear wall 204, opposing side walls 206, 208, an upper wall 210, and atapered lower portion 212. The front wall 202 may include a centralopening 214 that receives an upper shield 216 and a lower grill 218. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the front surfaces of the upper shield 216and the lower grill 218 are substantially flush with a front surface ofthe front wall 202, but in alternative embodiments these surfaces maynot be flush with one another. The upper shield 216 may also include afirst microphone opening 262 to expose the first microphone 258 (FIG. 6)to capture audio from an area about the floodlight controller 200.

In some embodiments, the upper wall 210 may include an opening for abutton 211. The button 211 may be operatively coupled to the processor162 (FIG. 3), and may have similar functionality as the button 182. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, the button 211 may be located on the upper wall210 at or near the front edge thereof. In this location, the button 211is advantageously exposed for easy access by a user, even if thefloodlight controller 101 is located in an elevated position, as istypical for floodlight assemblies. Further, in some embodiments thebutton 211 may be large enough such that it may be pressed and held downreadily using one's finger, rather than requiring any tools, therebyfurther enhancing the convenience provided by the button 211.

In further reference to FIG. 13, the tapered lower portion 212 mayinclude an opening 289 that allows incoming IR light to reach the atleast one motion sensor 168 (FIG. 3), such as (but not limited to) thePIR sensors 282, 284, 286 (FIG. 8), for detecting motion. In someembodiments, the opening 289 may receive a Fresnel lens 291. Asdiscussed above with respect to the Fresnel lens 290, the convexlyshaped Fresnel lens 291 may cover and close the lower end opening 289 ofthe housing 200. The Fresnel lens 291 is configured to focus andconcentrate incoming IR light on the at least one motion sensor 168,thereby enhancing the effectiveness and/or sensitivity of the at leastone motion sensor 168. In some embodiments, the tapered lower portion212 may be configured to angle the Fresnel lens 291 to draw a greaterproportion of the incoming IR light from around the front and sides ofthe floodlight controller, as further described below.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are right-side and left-side elevation views,respectively, of the floodlight controller 101 of FIG. 13. In referenceto FIG. 14 and as discussed above, the floodlight controller 101 mayinclude connecting hardware 292 that may include a first connectingmember 296 secured to the rear wall 204 of the housing 200 and a secondconnecting member 298 configured to be secured to the floodlight device294 (FIG. 10). In some embodiments, the first and second connectingmembers 296, 298 may meet at a ball-and-socket joint 300, such that thefirst and second connecting members 296, 298 are configured toarticulate with respect to one another. An end of the second connectingmember 298 opposite the ball-and-socket joint 300 may include threads302 configured to engage threads (not shown) on the floodlight device294 to secure the floodlight controller 101 to the floodlight device294. As discussed above, when the second connecting member 298 issecured to the floodlight device 294, the ball-and-socket joint 300enables the orientation of the floodlight controller 101 to be adjustedso that the camera 104 can be aimed in any desired direction. Inreference to FIG. 15, the housing 200 may include a third microphoneopening 266, as discussed above.

In further reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the tapered lower portion 212may be configured to angle the Fresnel lens 291 to concentrate theincoming IR light around the front and sides of the floodlightcontroller 101. For example, the tapered lower portion 212 may be longerin length (extend farther downward away from the housing 200) at a rearportion 213 and shorter in length at a front portion 215, such that theopening 289 lies in a plane P (FIG. 14) that is not perpendicular to avertical axis A of the floodlight controller 101. With reference to FIG.14, the plane P slopes upward in the direction from the rear wall 204toward the front wall 202 of the housing 200. In such embodiments, theopening 289 may receive the Fresnel lens 291 such that the orientationof the plane P with respect to the vertical axis A causes the Fresnellens 291 to receive more incoming IR light at the front and sides of thefloodlight controller 101 than at the rear. Configuring the opening 289and the Fresnel lens 291 in this manner allows for a greater proportionof the light impinging upon the at least one motion sensor 168 to comefrom the front and sides of the floodlight controller 101, which istypically the area of greatest interest, since that is the area withinthe field of view of the camera 104. The configuration of the opening289 and the Fresnel lens 291 thus further enhances the effectivenessand/or the sensitivity of the at least one motion sensor 168. Althoughspecific features and/or components of an embodiment of a floodlightcontroller 101 are discussed above with respect to FIGS. 13-15, any ofthe features and/or components of the embodiments of the floodlightcontroller 100 as discussed with reference to FIGS. 4-10 may be usedwith the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13-15.

In some embodiments, the present floodlight controllers may include oneor more light-emitting elements (distinct from the floodlight(s) 306).For example, with reference to FIG. 16, the illustrated floodlightcontroller 350 includes three light-emitting elements 352 located at alower end of the floodlight controller 350 between the PIR sensors 168.In the illustrated embodiment, the light-emitting elements 352 compriselight-emitting diodes (LEDs), but in other embodiments thelight-emitting elements 352 may comprise any other type of device thatemits light. Further, although the illustrated embodiment includes threelight-emitting elements 352, alternative embodiments may include anynumber of light-emitting elements 352, such as one, or two, or four,etc. In some embodiments, the light-emitting elements 352 may compriseLEDs capable of producing a variety of colors of light, such as blue,red, green, or any other color and/or color combination.

The light-emitting elements 352 are coupled to an LED printed circuitboard (PCB) 354 that is situated centrally between the PIR sensors 168.The LED PCB 354 is connected to a ribbon connector 356, whichoperatively couples the light-emitting elements 352 to the processor162. The light-emitting elements 352 may be capable of the samefunctionality as the light indicators 186 (FIG. 3) described above. Inaddition, the light-emitting elements 352 may be configured to provide avisual warning to an intruder, and may further be configured to beremotely controlled by a user through an application executing on theuser's client device 114. For example, as described above with referenceto FIG. 2, a user may communicate with a visitor/intruder through theuser's client device 114 while audio and/or video data captured by thecamera 102, the microphone 104, and/or other devices/sensors is streamedto the user's client device 114. The application executing on the user'sclient device 114 may provide one or more options for the user toremotely control the operation (illumination) of the light-emittingelements 352. For example, the application may display on the display ofthe user's client device 114 one or more buttons (or another type ofcommand/input element) enabling the user, who may be on the premises orat a remote location, to turn on the light-emitting elements 352, tochange the color of the light-emitting elements 352, to cause thelight-emitting elements 352 to flash, etc. Light emitted by thelight-emitting elements 352 may provide a visual indicator or warning tothe visitor/intruder. For example, a steady or flashing red light (orany other color) may provide a visual warning to an intruder that maycause the intruder to flee. The steady or flashing red light (or anyother color) may further provide a visual cue to any neighbors orpassersby of an emergency situation, which may attract the aid orassistance of others to neutralize any danger, such as by causing theintruder to flee.

As described above, the speaker 108 may be configured to emit a sound tostartle and/or repel any person within earshot of the speaker 108, suchas a loud beep, whoop, squawk, or any other type of loud noise, whenmotion is detected in the area about the floodlight controller 100, 310,350. In some embodiments of the present floodlight controllers, therepelling sound (may also be referred to as “siren”) may be remotelycontrolled by the user through the application executing on the user'sclient device 114. For example, when the user is viewing the live videostream from the camera 104, the application may display on the displayof the user's client device 114 one or more buttons (or another type ofcommand/input element) enabling the user to activate the siren. Thesiren may, in some embodiments, be configured to emit sound(s) at veryloud volumes, such as 100 dB or more. Activation of the siren mayadvantageously cause any intruder(s) within earshot of the speaker 108to flee.

As described above, the present embodiments advantageously providefloodlight controllers with video recording and two-way audiocapabilities. The present floodlight controllers thus provide strongercrime deterrence than typical floodlight devices because a user canspeak directly to an intruder through the floodlight controller, andbecause video footage captured by the floodlight controller can be usedto identify criminal perpetrators. Enabling the user to speak directlyto an intruder creates the illusion that the user is present at theproperty where the intruder is trespassing, thereby making it morelikely that the intruder will flee. Some of the present embodimentsfurther advantageously provide the capability to record and store videoeven in the event of a power outage or when the AC power to a structurehas been deliberately cut. Again, the video footage captured by thefloodlight controller even when AC power is unavailable can be used toidentify criminal perpetrators.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of a client device 800 on whichthe present embodiments may be implemented according to various aspectsof the present disclosure. The user's client device 114 described withreference to FIG. 1 may include some or all of the components and/orfunctionality of the client device 800. The client device 800 maycomprise, for example, a smartphone.

With reference to FIG. 17, the client device 800 includes a processor802, a memory 804, a user interface 806, a communication module 808, anda dataport 810. These components are communicatively coupled together byan interconnect bus 812. The processor 802 may include any processorused in smartphones and/or portable computing devices, such as an ARMprocessor (a processor based on the RISC (reduced instruction setcomputer) architecture developed by Advanced RISC Machines (ARM).). Insome embodiments, the processor 802 may include one or more otherprocessors, such as one or more conventional microprocessors, and/or oneor more supplementary co-processors, such as math co-processors.

The memory 804 may include both operating memory, such as random accessmemory (RAM), as well as data storage, such as read-only memory (ROM),hard drives, flash memory, or any other suitable memory/storage element.The memory 804 may include removable memory elements, such as aCompactFlash card, a MultiMediaCard (MMC), and/or a Secure Digital (SD)card. In some embodiments, the memory 804 may comprise a combination ofmagnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, forexample, RAM, ROM, flash drive, and/or a hard disk or drive. Theprocessor 802 and the memory 804 each may be, for example, locatedentirely within a single device, or may be connected to each other by acommunication medium, such as a USB port, a serial port cable, a coaxialcable, an Ethernet-type cable, a telephone line, a radio frequencytransceiver, or other similar wireless or wired medium or combination ofthe foregoing. For example, the processor 802 may be connected to thememory 804 via the dataport 810.

The user interface 806 may include any user interface or presentationelements suitable for a smartphone and/or a portable computing device,such as a keypad, a display screen, a touchscreen, a microphone, and aspeaker. The communication module 808 is configured to handlecommunication links between the client device 800 and other, externaldevices or receivers, and to route incoming/outgoing data appropriately.For example, inbound data from the dataport 810 may be routed throughthe communication module 808 before being directed to the processor 802,and outbound data from the processor 802 may be routed through thecommunication module 808 before being directed to the dataport 810. Thecommunication module 808 may include one or more transceiver modulescapable of transmitting and receiving data, and using, for example, oneor more protocols and/or technologies, such as GSM, UMTS (3GSM), IS-95(CDMA one), IS-2000 (CDMA 2000), LTE, FDMA, TDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA, OFDMA,Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or any other protocol and/or technology.

The dataport 810 may be any type of connector used for physicallyinterfacing with a smartphone and/or a portable computing device, suchas a mini-USB port or an IPHONE®/IPOD® 30-pin connector or LIGHTNING®connector. In other embodiments, the dataport 810 may include multiplecommunication channels for simultaneous communication with, for example,other processors, servers, and/or client terminals.

The memory 804 may store instructions for communicating with othersystems, such as a computer. The memory 804 may store, for example, aprogram (e.g., computer program code) adapted to direct the processor802 in accordance with the present embodiments. The instructions alsomay include program elements, such as an operating system. Whileexecution of sequences of instructions in the program causes theprocessor 802 to perform the process steps described herein, hard-wiredcircuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with,software/firmware instructions for implementation of the processes ofthe present embodiments. Thus, the present embodiments are not limitedto any specific combination of hardware and software.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. The computer system 900 maybe embodied in at least one of a personal computer (also referred to asa desktop computer) 900A, a portable computer (also referred to as alaptop or notebook computer) 900B, and/or a server 900C. A server is acomputer program and/or a machine that waits for requests from othermachines or software (clients) and responds to them. A server typicallyprocesses data. The purpose of a server is to share data and/or hardwareand/or software resources among clients. This architecture is called theclient-server model. The clients may run on the same computer or mayconnect to the server over a network. Examples of computing serversinclude database servers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, webservers, game servers, and application servers. The term server may beconstrued broadly to include any computerized process that shares aresource to one or more client processes.

The computer system 900 may execute at least some of the operationsdescribed above. The computer system 900 may include at least oneprocessor 910, memory 920, at least one storage device 930, andinput/output (I/O) devices 940. Some or all of the components 910, 920,930, 940 may be interconnected via a system bus 950. The processor 910may be single- or multi-threaded and may have one or more cores. Theprocessor 910 may execute instructions, such as those stored in thememory 920 and/or in the storage device 930. Information may be receivedand output using one or more I/O devices 940.

The memory 920 may store information, and may be a computer-readablemedium, such as volatile or non-volatile memory. The storage device(s)930 may provide storage for the system 900, and may be acomputer-readable medium. In various aspects, the storage device(s) 930may be a flash memory device, a hard disk device, an optical diskdevice, a tape device, or any other type of storage device.

The I/O devices 940 may provide input/output operations for the system900. The I/O devices 940 may include a keyboard, a pointing device,and/or a microphone. The I/O devices 940 may further include a displayunit for displaying graphical user interfaces, a speaker, and/or aprinter. External data may be stored in one or more accessible externaldatabases 960.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computerhardware, firmware, software, and/or in combinations thereof. Featuresof the present embodiments may be implemented in a computer programproduct tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as amachine-readable storage device, and/or in a propagated signal, forexecution by a programmable processor. Embodiments of the present methodsteps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a programof instructions to perform functions of the described implementations byoperating on input data and generating output.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and/or instructions from, and to transmit dataand/or instructions to, a data storage system, at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. A computer program may include aset of instructions that may be used, directly or indirectly, in acomputer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result.A computer program may be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions mayinclude, for example, both general and special purpose processors,and/or the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind ofcomputer. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and/or datafrom a read only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), or both.Such a computer may include a processor for executing instructions andone or more memories for storing instructions and/or data.

Generally, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled tocommunicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand/or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and/or optical disks.Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and/or data may include all forms of non-volatile memory,including for example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, orincorporated in, one or more ASICs (application-specific integratedcircuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, the features of the presentembodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device,such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displayinginformation to the user. The computer may further include a keyboard, apointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, and/or a touchscreen bywhich the user may provide input to the computer.

The features of the present embodiments may be implemented in a computersystem that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, and/orthat includes a middleware component, such as an application server oran Internet server, and/or that includes a front-end component, such asa client computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or anInternet browser, or any combination of these. The components of thesystem may be connected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, such as a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks may include, for example, a LAN (local areanetwork), a WAN (wide area network), and/or the computers and networksforming the Internet.

The computer system may include clients and servers. A client and servermay be remote from each other and interact through a network, such asthose described herein. The relationship of client and server may ariseby virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present embodiments, and of the manner and process of practicingthem, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which they pertain to practice theseembodiments. The present embodiments are, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from those discussed abovethat are fully equivalent. Consequently, the present invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, thepresent invention covers all modifications and alternate constructionscoming within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, the steps in the processes described herein need not beperformed in the same order as they have been presented, and may beperformed in any order(s). Further, steps that have been presented asbeing performed separately may in alternative embodiments be performedconcurrently. Likewise, steps that have been presented as beingperformed concurrently may in alternative embodiments be performedseparately.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floodlight controller for activating anddeactivating a floodlight device, the floodlight controller comprising:a housing; a camera including an image sensor and having a field ofview; at least one motion sensor, wherein the at least one motion sensoris positioned adjacent a tapered lower portion of the housing; whereinthe tapered lower portion of the housing includes an opening that allowsthe at least one motion sensor to be exposed to incoming infrared (IR)light; wherein the opening lies in a plane P that is not perpendicularto a vertical axis A of the floodlight controller; and wherein the planeP slopes upward in the direction from a rear wall of the housing towarda front wall of the housing.
 2. The floodlight controller of claim 1,further comprising a Fresnel lens covering the opening, the Fresnel lensbeing configured to concentrate the incoming IR light onto the at leastone motion sensor to thereby enhance the sensitivity of the at least onemotion sensor to detect motion.
 3. The floodlight controller of claim 1,wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises three passive infrared(PIR) sensors.
 4. The floodlight controller of claim 3, furthercomprising an inverted pyramidal PIR sensor holder, wherein the PIRsensors are arranged about three surfaces of the inverted pyramidal PIRsensor holder.
 5. The floodlight controller of claim 4, wherein thethree surfaces of the inverted pyramidal PIR sensor holder areconfigured to point the PIR sensors at a downward angle.
 6. Thefloodlight controller of claim 5, wherein the PIR sensors are configuredto detect motion in an area of about 270 degrees around the front andsides of the floodlight controller.
 7. The floodlight controller ofclaim 5, wherein the PIR sensors are arranged such that a first one ofthe PIR sensors is pointed toward the front of the floodlightcontroller.
 8. The floodlight controller of claim 7, wherein the PIRsensors are arranged such that a second one of the PIR sensors ispointed toward the right side of the floodlight controller.
 9. Thefloodlight controller of claim 8, wherein the PIR sensors are arrangedsuch that a third one of the PIR sensors is pointed toward the left sideof the floodlight controller.
 10. The floodlight controller of claim 1,further comprising a floodlight device, wherein the floodlightcontroller is operatively connected to the floodlight device foractivating and deactivating the floodlight device.
 11. The floodlightcontroller of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a cameraopening configured to expose the camera to the field of view.
 12. Thefloodlight controller of claim 11, wherein the housing further comprisesa microphone opening configured to expose a microphone of the floodlightcontroller to capture audio from an area about the floodlightcontroller.
 13. The floodlight controller of claim 12, wherein thehousing further comprises a speaker opening configured to expose aspeaker of the floodlight controller to produce sound audible to thearea about the floodlight controller.
 14. The floodlight controller ofclaim 13, wherein the housing further comprises a fourth openingconfigured to expose at least one IR light-emitting component of thefloodlight controller to illuminate the field of view to enable theimage sensor to capture images under conditions of low ambient light.15. The floodlight controller of claim 1, further comprising at leastone light-emitting element.
 16. The floodlight controller of claim 15,wherein the at least one light-emitting element comprises at least onelight-emitting diode (LED).
 17. The floodlight controller of claim 16,wherein the at least one light-emitting element comprises three LEDs.18. The floodlight controller of claim 16, wherein the at least one LEDis configured to emit light in a plurality of colors.